Sarajevo is the largest city and capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is also known as ‘European Jerusalem’ and was founded in 1461. It is a very beautiful city set against the backdrop of mountains. The word Sarajevo comes from the Turkish compound ‘saray ovasi’ which means court and the field around the court. This city is surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of the Balkans. It is also the social, political, financial and cultural centre of Bosnia and Herzegovina. You can ski from Sarajevo in just 40 minutes, as the city is surrounded by Olympic mountains. The national theatre in the city was built three years after the First World War, in 1921. The clock tower of this city is the only clock in the world which can measure lunar time. It attracts a lot of tourists every year.

When to Visit Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

May to September is the best time to visit Sarajevo. It is perfect for those wanting a cultural adventure and is an excellent place to start for those who have not explored Eastern Europe. This city has many museums, churches and cathedrals which are worth a visit in this comfortable weather. This place is considered as the most attractive city in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

What to know about Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Language

Bosnian, Serbian and Croatian are the official and most widely spoken languages of the city. English is also spoken throughout the country and mostly spoken by the younger population, administrative officials and business oriented population. German is also spoken by many people.

Climate

In summers, the average temperature is about 28 while in winters the average minimum temperature usually goes down to -5. This beautiful city is surrounded by mountains full of hiking trails, panoramic views, and spectacular nature which can be enjoyed in a vacation with family and friends.

Transportation

There are various forms of public transport available in Sarajevo to enjoy the beauty of the city.

Trams 

Trolleybus

Buses

Car hiring

Bike hiring

Taxi

Currency

Bosnian Mark is the currency used in Sarajevo. Credit cards are accepted in top hotels and restaurants. You can exchange your money at the banks or exchange offices after landing in the city.  However, an emergency supply of cash is still advisable.

Sarajevo Film Festival

This festival has been celebrated every year in the month of August since 1995. This is the biggest film festival in Southern Europe. It brings together the international cinema and film creators from all over the world including Hollywood, Europe and local talent. This festival can have around 100,000 visitors. It is a great opportunity to meet some famous celebrities without even going to places like Hollywood. Its main event is hosted in the Sarajevo National Theatre in front of the city’s festival square. Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, John Cleese and Oliver Stone are some of the famous celebrities who have attended the festival. And if you are lucky you can even get a selfie with any celebrity or an autograph. This festival has a number of talent competitions and professional growth seminars which can be useful to learn about filmmaking and network with others in the industry from Europe and other parts of the world. This film festival is a very glamorous event that has something to offer to all.

Best Food to try in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Somun

Somun is a very popular dish all over the city and similar to pide or pitta and is a yeast-raised flatbread. Water, salt, flour and yeast are required for the preparation of this dish. It is baked at a high temperature in the oven. The interior of this dish is puffy and slightly hollow. It is a very aromatic dish with a greater melt in the mouth properties.

Baklava

It is a very popular dessert which is made on special occasions, especially by Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr, and by Christians during Pascha and Christmas. It is a layered pastry dessert which is filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with syrup or honey. November 17th is also celebrated as National Baklava day.

Burek

Burek or borek is prepared with the help of a thin dough with the fillings of meat, cheese, potatoes, eggplant, mushrooms, leafy greens or spinach. This dish is baked and after baking it is cut into portions the size of a pastry. It is usually garnished with sesame or nigella seeds and it can be served hot or cold depending on your choice of taste. This dish is loved by a lot of people around the world and served at different times of the day with tea, coffee or yoghourt drink.

Places of Attractions in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo tunnel

The Sarajevo tunnel is also known as Tunnel of Hope and Tunel spasa. It was constructed between March and June 1993 which allowed food and humanitarian aid to come into the city and people to get out. The tunnel is about 1m in width and has a height of 1.5 metres, and ran for approximately. It is said that 20 million tons of food entered the city and 1 million people passed in and out of this tunnel during old times. It is a place which holds a lot of historical importance.

Latin Bridge

It is an Ottoman bridge which is over the Miljacka river in Sarajevo. It is also known as Principov most. Earlier the bridge was made from the woods, but later it was reconstructed and made with stone. The bridge has four arches and rests on three strong pillars and the embankment. Later because of heavy traffic at the time of Austria-Hungary, the pavements on consoles were added to the bridge. It is best known as the place where the heir to the Austrian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his pregnant wife were assassinated on 28 June 1914 by a Bosnian Serb nationalist, Gavrilo Princip.